Presidentiables bare plans on first 100 days, economic recovery

Presidential aspirants on Thursday revealed their plans on their first 100 days, economic recovery and ideas for helping out important sectors in the country ahead of Eleksyon 2022.

At the 47th Philippine Business Conference and Expo, the five aspirants were asked about their plans if they win next year's elections.

First 100 days

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said he will focus on reinforcing the country's health system to cope with the pandemic, adding that he will also prepare for possible outbreaks.

A Moreno government will also aim at meritocracy on choosing Cabinet members.

He added that he will reduce taxes on petroleum and electricity.

For Senator Manny Pacquiao, he will aim to strengthen the economy, create sustainable jobs, improve healthcare services and create better tax collection.

“Hindi deserve ng mga Pilipino mangutang para sa annual budget. Dapat may sariling income," the senator said.

(Filipinos do not deserve to have debts from the annual budget. The government should have income.)

Senator Christopher Bong Go, meanwhile, said his priority is to identify the 10 million poorest of the poor Filipinos and give assistance, livelihood as well as make interest-free loans accessible to them.

Signing of laws seeking the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Philippines as well as the Department of Disaster Resilience will also be a priority, Go also said.

The senator also seeks to double the Malasakit Centers in the country if he wins the presidency.

For his part, Senator Panfilo Lacson said he will prioritize recovery in health and economic sectors by funding existing gaps to fully implement Universal Healthcare Act, free vaccines, free testing and treatment.

In her first 100 days, Vice President Leni Robredo said her top priority is to control the pandemic and mitigate its impact on people's lives.

She said she is eyeing to increase support for health workers, capacitate the health system and make COVID-19 tests accessible to all.

She will also allot P216 billion worth of cash aid to help families curb hunger and address their other needs.

Helping MSMEs

In helping the micro, small and medium enterprises, which were badly hit by the health crisis, Moreno proposed to partner with the government financial institutions to securitize future windfall earnings on account of Mandanas ruling to give financial aid to MSMEs with zero interest.

Mandanas ruling specifies that the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of LGUs must be computed based on all national taxes, and not just from National Internal Revenue Taxes (NIRT).

If Pacquiao wins, he seeks to make available loans to MSMEs without interest.

Go said he will raise the number of Negosyo centers nationwide and continue the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso.

He also seeks to lower the cost of borrowing for MSMEs.

Lacson's plan to MSMEs will focus on fiscal stimulus  packages, eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, lower interest bigger loans programs from state-run financial institutions, and employee retention incentives for motivation.

He is also urging for a campaign that will focus on purchasing locally-produced products and services, citing that the  Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service's (PS-DBM) move to favor Chinese contractors should not be repeated.

For her part, Robredo said she will set aside P100 billion worth of stimulus package for MSMEs that were critically-stricken by the health crisis.

She also seeks to increase the availability of credit to MSMEs, reduce interest rates on loans and extend grace periods.

Agriculture, fisheries

To address the plight of those in the agriculture and fisheries sector, Moreno said he will propose the creation of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

He said he also wants to modernize agriculture, adopt technology, and provide adequate post-harvest facilities through the cold chain.

Pacquiao said the Philippines must export more food commodities instead of importing.

Go said he aims to continue to build agricultural support systems such as farm-to-market roads.

He is also eyeing to enhance the free irrigation law.

For Lacson, he seeks to provide technical support assistance involving basic agriculture components.

He also wants to complete backlogs in irrigation systems and institutionalize regional food terminals to improve production and logistics in local areas.

Also, Lacson wants to rid controversies in the Department of Agriculture by cleaning its ranks.

On Robredo's plans for agriculture, she is eyeing to double the department's budget, invest in different agriculture sectors and modernize agriculture equipment.

Infrastructure

In infrastructure, Moreno said he will continue the Duterte regime's Build, Build, Build program but will focus on addressing housing backlogs for the poor.

Pacquiao said he will strengthen revenue income to fund infrastructure. Also included in his plans are projects such as skyways in Manila, subways, bullet trains and include Visayas and Mindanao in infrastructure development.

Just like Moreno, Go will sustain the Build, Build, Build program  by creating partnerships with the private sector, improving tax collection, and exercising prudent fiscal management.

Lacson said he will aim for integrity on infrastructure spending and create a geotagging system which will contain all private infrastructure projects.

Robredo said she sought to put up infrastructure that will be beneficial to emerging industries.

She also said she will prioritize funding for science and technology while the Philippine Competition Act will be properly implemented and the Philippine Competition Commission will be supported.—LDF, GMA News